ABOUT THIS SCULPTURE

Author

WATERFRONT AREA IN BELFAST CITY

The Ulster Brewer or Barrel Man is a public sculpture located at the Waterfront in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Artist: Ross Wilson
Year: 1997
Commission: Bass Ireland commissioned the sculpture to celebrate their 100th anniversary of brewing in Belfast.
Depiction: The sculpture depicts a cooper (a barrel-maker) sitting atop a barrel, symbolising the brewing heritage of the region.
Material: Bronze


The Ulster Brewer, also known as the Barrel Man, is a public sculpture in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It commemorates the history of brewing in the region and stands near the site of the former Ulster Brewery, founded in 1897 by Thomas R. Caffrey. However, the roots of the company can be traced back to 1810 when Clotworthy Dobbin operated a brewery in Hercules Street, Belfast (now Royal Avenue). Caffrey eventually took over the Hercules Brewery, renaming it the Ulster Brewery. The brewery changed ownership several times, becoming Bass Ireland Limited in 1974 before its final closure in 2008. The sculpture depicts a man sitting atop a barrel, symbolizing the brewing tradition and serving as a nostalgic reminder of Belfast’s brewing heritage.